Potatoes - yes or no?

[speeddemon]

I have heard so much confusing information when it comes to potatoes that I just don’t know what to do with them anymore. I love them. I love them fried, mashed, baked, and everything in between. I know that they’re a vegetable and I know that they contain nutrients. But they also contain carbs. People seem to think of them as an enemy of dieting.

Are they healthy or not? Are they good for a diet or not? I can’t figure it out. Any help out there?

[jan]

I think that I would have to say yes, but in moderation. Also, choose the right kind of potato. A baked potato is great. Just eat half of it in a day and don't pile on the toppings like sour cream and butter. Instead, put on plain yogurt with chives.

[jenny25]

I think that as long as you hav ea reasonable portion of potatoes and don't just eat a mountain of them that makes up the majority of your meal, then it should be alright. It really shouldn't be too bad especially if you have boiled or something like that. Don't forget to eat the skins, too since they're high in fiber which is not only good for you but it also fills you up faster and longer. Don't eat french fries and count them as potatoes. Deep frying them or coating them in batter really offsets any positives that you can get out of of them.

[Beth]

if you eat a small amount of boiled or baked potato it's not really too bad but you'd probably be better off eating the same amount of calories in green vegetables instead or at least brightly colored vegetables.

[madscientist]

You can eat anything as long as it's within reason

[ffviifan]

I don't believe in any diets that force you to give up your favorite foods. If all you're doing is sacrificing everything that you like then there is no way that you'll ever stick to it. Try to just knock back things like the added bits that you'd usually eat, like don't put butter, put light sour cream. And instead of eating a huge amount, put a reasonable amount on your plate. You don't actually need to eat a whole baked potato, even. You just need half. You can add chives to your light sour cream to give it the flavor that went away without the butter.

[Carol1]

I am on the Paleo diet but I allow myself to have potatoes once in a while. I know that they are healthy and just love them as well.